Chip authentication technology using carbon nanotubes

Abstract

Embodiments relate to the authentication of a semiconductor. An identification circuit disposed within a package of an integrated circuit, and the identification circuit includes carbon-nanotube transistors configured to generate an encryption key.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method of authenticating an integrated circuit, the method comprising:
 sending, by a processor, a voltage signal to an identification circuit, wherein the identification circuit is comprised of one or more carbon nanotube transistors; 
 determining, using the processor, resistive properties of the carbon nanotube transistors disposed in the identification circuit, wherein the resistive properties are permanent and predetermined; 
 generating an encryption key based at least in part on the resistive properties of the carbon nanotube transistors; 
 wherein generating an encryption key is based on a random distribution of resistive properties of the carbon nanotube transistors; 
 generating an encrypted challenge with the encryption key and original challenge; 
 decrypting the encrypted challenge with the encryption key, thereby generating a decrypted challenge; 
 comparing the challenge and the decrypted challenge to determine an identity of the integrated circuit; and 
 making a decision based on the comparison. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein resistive properties of the carbon nanotube transistors is based on a voltage range of −3V to 3V and includes a high resistance of greater than 1 mega-ohm, a metallic resistance of less than 1 kilo-ohm, and a semiconductive resistance of between 1 kilo-ohm and 1 mega-ohm. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , wherein voltages represented by the challenge are selectively applied to the carbon nanotube transistors. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the identification circuit is configured to wirelessly communicate encrypted data. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1  further comprising opening an electronic fuse to prevent any further generation of encryption keys after determining an identity of the integrated circuit. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the identification circuit is configured as a radio-frequency identification (RFID) circuit. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more silicon transistors that selectively activate the carbon nanotube transistors. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the method of authenticating an integrated circuit takes place on a computer server configured to communicate with the identification circuit.